Inspection system, inspection apparatus, control method of inspection system, and control method of inspection apparatus

ABSTRACT

An inspection apparatus includes one or more controllers having one or more processors and one or more memories, the one or more controllers configured to function as a receiving unit configured to receive an image to be registered as a reference image, a reception unit configured to receive an inspection setting for the received reference image, a storage unit configured to store an inspection setting in a storage device, and an inspection unit configured to, if a scan image obtained by scanning of a printed matter is received, inspect the scan image based on the inspection setting, wherein, in a case where a predetermined setting is received by the reception unit, an inspection setting associated with the predetermined setting stored by the storage unit is reflected in the reference image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inspection system, an inspectionapparatus, a control method of an inspection system, and a controlmethod of an inspection apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

There has been known an inspection apparatus that reads a printed matterprinted by an image forming apparatus (printing apparatus) and inspectsthe printed matter for a quality level. The inspection apparatus candetect an image defect such as a stain and a missing image. In suchinspections, a method is employed where a printed matter is comparedwith an image including no defect that is registered as a referenceimage. For this reason, it is necessary to initially register areference image in an inspection apparatus, and processing forregistration will be referred to as a reference image registration job.Subsequently, a user makes an inspection setting of setting a detectionregion in which a defect is to be detected in a main print job, and athreshold value for the reference image. When the inspection settingends, the user executes the main print job of detecting a defect bycomparing an actual printed matter with the registered reference image.

A print job to be inspected in an inspection apparatus will be referredto as an inspection job. The execution of the inspection job isperformed in the following three steps.

-   -   Execution of a reference image registration job    -   Inspection setting    -   Execution of a main print job

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-115744 discusses atechnique of receiving input from a user for a reference image as amethod of making an inspection setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, an inspection apparatusincludes one or more controllers having one or more processors and oneor more memories, the one or more controllers configured to function asa receiving unit configured to receive an image to be registered as areference image, a reception unit configured to receive an inspectionsetting for the received reference image, a storage unit configured tostore an inspection setting in a storage device, and an inspection unitconfigured to, if a scan image obtained by scanning of a printed matteris received, inspect the scan image based on the inspection setting,wherein, in a case where a predetermined setting is received by thereception unit, an inspection setting associated with the predeterminedsetting stored by the storage unit is reflected in the reference image.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating configurations of aninformation processing apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and aprinting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of configurations ofthe information processing apparatus, the inspection apparatus, and theprinting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of internal configurationsof the information processing apparatus, an inspection unit, theprinting apparatus, and a large-capacity stacker.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate examples of setting screens of the inspectionapparatus to designate an operation mode of the inspection apparatus andthe inspection unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a screen of an inspection status to bedisplayed on the inspection apparatus at the time of inspection.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation to beperformed by the inspection apparatus at the time of reference imageregistration.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an inspection operationto be performed by the inspection apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an inspection operationto be performed by the information processing apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an overall operation tobe performed by the inspection apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a screen of a print setting to bedisplayed on the information processing apparatus.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C illustrate examples of inspection settingscreens to be displayed on the inspection apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation to beperformed by an inspection apparatus when the inspection apparatusreceives an inspection setting according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example of an inspection setting screen tobe displayed on the inspection apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to the drawings. It should be appreciated that, unlessotherwise specified, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied toboth a single device and an inspection apparatus including a pluralityof devices as long as a function according to the present exemplaryembodiment is implemented. In addition, unless otherwise specified, aninspection apparatus may perform processing using the devices connectedvia a network such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN) as long as the function according to the present exemplaryembodiment is implemented. In other words, a configuration of a systemto which various terminals are connected to be described in thefollowing exemplary embodiment is an example, and it should beappreciated that there are various configuration examples depending on ause application and a purpose.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of aninspection system according to the present exemplary embodiment thatincludes an information processing apparatus, an inspection apparatus,and a printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus, theinspection apparatus, and the printing apparatus can communicate witheach other via a network. The description will be given using anelectrophotographic printing apparatus as the printing apparatusaccording to the present exemplary embodiment, but the printingapparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment may be aprinting apparatus of a different image formation method such as aninkjet method or an offset method.

A printing apparatus 0101 is connected with an information processingapparatus 0109 via a cable 0112. The information processing apparatus0109 is connected with a client computer 0110 via a network 0113.

The printing apparatus 0101 includes a user interface (UI) panel 0102,and paper feed decks 0103 and 0104. Furthermore, an optional deck 0105including three paper feed decks is connected to the printing apparatus0101. The printing apparatus 0101 is an electrophotographic printingapparatus, for example. The UI panel 0102 is a user interface includinga capacitive touch panel, for example.

The printing apparatus 0101 further includes an inspection unit 0106 anda large-capacity stacker 0107. The inspection unit 0106 is connectedwith an inspection apparatus 0108 via a cable 0114. The large-capacitystacker 0107 includes a main tray and a top tray. A few thousand sheetscan be stacked on the main tray at one time.

A print job is generated in the client computer 0110, transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 0109 via the network 0113, and managedby the information processing apparatus 0109. Then, the print job istransmitted from the information processing apparatus 0109 to theprinting apparatus 0101 via the cable 0112, and the printing apparatus0101 performs printing processing onto a sheet. As anotherconfiguration, a print job may be generated and managed in theinformation processing apparatus 0109, transmitted to the printingapparatus 0101 via the cable 0112, and managed in the printing apparatus0101.

The client computer 0110, the information processing apparatus 0109, andthe inspection apparatus 0108 may be connected to the cable 0112 andenabled to communicate with the printing apparatus 0101. As anotherconfiguration, the inspection apparatus 0108 may be connected to theinformation processing apparatus 0109 and the client computer 0110 viathe network 0113. In other words, a connection configuration of theprinting apparatus 0101, the information processing apparatus 0109, andthe client computer 0110 that is described in the present exemplaryembodiment is an example, and it should be appreciated that there arevarious connection configurations aside from the connectionconfiguration described in the present exemplary embodiment.

Aside from the inspection unit 0106 and the large-capacity stacker 0107,a finisher that can execute stapling, a folding apparatus, and abookbinding apparatus may be connected to the printing apparatus 0101.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating control configurations of theprinting apparatus 0101, the inspection apparatus 0108, thelarge-capacity stacker 0107, the information processing apparatus 0109,and the client computer 0110 according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

A central processing unit (CPU) 0201 governs control and calculation ineach component in the printing apparatus 0101 via a system bus 0212. TheCPU 0201 governs execution of a program stored in a storage unit 0205and loaded into a random access memory (RAM) 0202. The RAM 0202 is onetype of general volatile storage device directly accessible from the CPU0201, and is used as a work area of the CPU 0201 or another temporarydata storage area. The storage unit 0205 functions as a temporarystorage area and a working memory that are to be used when the printingapparatus 0101 operates.

An engine interface (I/F) 0209 governs communication with and control ofa printer engine 0210. A paper feed deck I/F 0204 governs communicationwith and control of a paper feed deck 0211. The paper feed deck 0211collectively refers to the paper feed decks 0103 and 0104, and theoptional deck 0105 as a hardware configuration. A UI panel 0203 is ahardware configuration of the UI panel 0102, and is a user interface forperforming general operations of the printing apparatus 0101. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the UI panel 0203 includes a capacitivetouch panel.

A network interface (hereinafter, NW I/F) 0207 is connected with a NWI/F 0238 of the information processing apparatus 0109 via a cable 0213,and governs communication between the information processing apparatus0109 and the printing apparatus 0101. In this example, the interfacesconnected to system buses 0212 and 0239 are directly connected, but theinformation processing apparatus 0109 and the printing apparatus 0101may be connected via a network, for example, and a connection formthereof is not limited. A video I/F 0206 is connected with a video I/F0233 via a video cable 0241, and governs image data communicationbetween the information processing apparatus 0109 and the printingapparatus 0101.

As a connection interface of the information processing apparatus 0109to be used for connection with the printing apparatus 0101, thefunctions of the NW I/F 0238 and the video I/F 0233 may be integrated.As a connection interface of the printing apparatus 0101 to be used forconnection with the information processing apparatus 0109, the functionsof the NW I/F 0207 and the video I/F 0206 may be integrated.

An accessory I/F 0208 connects with accessory I/Fs 0214 and 0220 via acable 0225. In other words, the printing apparatus 0101 communicateswith the inspection unit 0106 and the large-capacity stacker 0107 viathe accessory I/Fs 0208, 0214, and 0220.

A CPU 0216 governs, via a system bus 0219, control and calculation ineach component in the inspection unit 0106, and execution of a programstored in a storage unit 0247 and loaded into a RAM 0217. The RAM 0217is one type of general volatile storage device directly accessible fromthe CPU 0216, and is used as a work area of the CPU 0216 or anothertemporary data storage area. The storage unit 0247 functions as atemporary storage area and a working memory that are to be used when theinspection unit 0106 operates. An inspection apparatus I/F 0215 connectswith an inspection unit I/F 0231 via a cable. In other words, theinspection unit 0106 communicates with the inspection apparatus 0108 viathe inspection apparatus I/F 0215 and the inspection unit I/F 0231.

An imaging unit 0218 has an imaging function equipped with a conductimage sensor (hereinafter, CIS), for example. The imaging unit 0218captures an image of a sheet passing through the inside of theinspection unit 0106, and transmits the captured image to the inspectionapparatus 0108 via the inspection apparatus I/F 0215. The CIS includedin the imaging unit 0218 is an example of a sensor. The sensor may be asensor of another type such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) imagesensor, and an image capturing method of the sensor is not limited.There are two purposes of the transmission of the captured image. One isto capture an image of a printed matter of a print job to be inspectedand to transmit the captured image to the inspection apparatus 0108 forinspection, irrespective of an inspection method. The other is to printone copy or a plurality of copies of a print job and capture an image orimages thereof for generation of a reference image before the print jobto be inspected and to transmit the image to the inspection apparatus0108 as a reference image in a case where the inspection method is scaninspection. In the inspection apparatus 0108, the transmitted image isstored in a storage unit 0228 as a reference image.

A CPU 0221 governs, via a system bus 0224, control and calculation ineach component in the large-capacity stacker 0107 and execution of aprogram stored in a storage unit 0248 and loaded into a RAM 0222. TheRAM 0222 is one type of general volatile storage device directlyaccessible from the CPU 0221, and is used as a work area of the CPU 0221or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0248 functionsas a temporary storage area and a working memory that are to be usedwhen the inspection apparatus 0108 operates. A paper discharge unit 0223governs paper discharge operations onto the main tray and the top tray,and monitoring and control of stacking statuses of the main tray and thetop tray.

A CPU 0226 governs, via a system bus 0230, control and calculation ineach component in the inspection apparatus 0108, and execution of aprogram stored in the storage unit 0228 and loaded into a RAM 0227. TheRAM 0227 is one type of general volatile storage device directlyaccessible from the CPU 0226, and is used as a work area of the CPU 0226or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0228 functionsas a temporary storage area and a working memory that are to be usedwhen the inspection apparatus 0108 operates. A page-description language(PDL) analysis unit 0229 reads PDL data such as Portable Document Format(PDF) data, PostScript data, or Printer Control Language (PCL) data, forexample, that has been received from the client computer 0110 or theinformation processing apparatus 0109, and executes interpretationprocessing. A display unit 0245 is a liquid crystal display connected tothe inspection apparatus 0108, for example. The display unit 0245receives input into the inspection apparatus 0108 that has been made bya user, and displays a state of the inspection apparatus 0108.

A CPU 0234 governs, via a system bus 0239, control and calculation ineach component in the information processing apparatus 0109, andexecution of a program stored in a storage unit 0236 and loaded into aRAM 0235. The RAM 0235 is one type of general volatile storage devicedirectly accessible from the CPU 0234, and is used as a work area of theCPU 0234 or another temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0236functions as a temporary storage area and a working memory that are tobe used when the information processing apparatus 0109 operates. A NWI/F 0237 is connected with a NW I/F 0240 via a network. The informationprocessing apparatus 0109 communicates with the client computer 0110 viathe NW I/F 0237 and the NW I/F 0240.

As another configuration, the inspection apparatus 0108 may include a NWI/F, and the information processing apparatus 0109 may communicate withthe inspection apparatus 0108 via the NW I/F and the NW I/F 0237. Forexample, a case where a raster image processor (RIP) image to be used bythe printing apparatus 0101 in printing is used as a reference imagewill be considered. In this case, the reference image may be transmittedto the inspection apparatus 0108 via the inspection apparatus I/F 0215,or may be transmitted to the inspection apparatus 0108 from the NW I/Fincluded in the inspection apparatus 0108 via the NW I/F 0207 and the NWI/F 0237.

A CPU 0243 governs, via a system bus, control and calculation in eachcomponent in the client computer 0110, and execution of a program storedin a storage unit 0244 and loaded into a RAM 0242. The RAM 0242 is onetype of general volatile storage device directly accessible from the CPU0243, and is used as a work area of the CPU 0243 or another temporarydata storage area. The storage unit 0244 functions as a temporarystorage area and a working memory that are to be used when the clientcomputer 0110 operates.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating internal configurations of the printingapparatus 0101, the inspection unit 0106, and the large-capacity stacker0107. The printing apparatus 0101 receives input made by the user viathe UI panel 0102, and displays states of printing and devices. Varioussheets can be stored in the paper feed decks 0103 and 0104. In each ofthe paper feed decks, only one topmost sheet of the stored sheets isseparated and conveyed to a sheet conveyance path 0305. To form a colorimage, development stations 0301 to 0304 form toner images using coloredtoner in Y, M, C, and K colors. The toner images formed by thedevelopment stations 0301 to 0304 are primarily transferred to anintermediate transfer belt 0306. The intermediate transfer belt 0306rotates clockwise in FIG. 3 , and the toner images are transferred to asheet conveyed from the sheet conveyance path 0305 at a secondarytransfer position 0307.

A fixing unit 0308 includes a pressure roller and a heat roller. A sheetpasses through a space between the rollers, and toner is melted andpressure-fixed onto the sheet. The toner image is thereby fixed onto thesheet. The sheet having passed through the fixing unit 0308 is conveyedto a sheet conveyance path 0312 through a sheet conveyance path 0309. Ina case where further melting and pressure fixing are required for fixingdepending on the type of sheet, after having passed through the fixingunit 0308, the sheet is conveyed to a second fixing unit 0310 using anupper sheet conveyance path, and after additional melting and pressurefixing are performed, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveyance path0312 through a sheet conveyance path 0311. In a case where an imageforming mode is a duplex mode, a sheet is conveyed to a sheet reversingpath 0313, and after the sheet is reversed on the sheet reversing path0313, the sheet is conveyed to a duplex conveyance path 0314, and animage on a second surface is transferred at the secondary transferposition 0307.

CISs 0315 and 0316 are arranged in the inspection unit 0106 facing eachother. The CIS 0315 is a sensor serving as a reading unit for readingthe top surface of the sheet, and the CIS 0316 is a sensor serving as areading unit for reading the bottom surface of the sheet. The inspectionunit 0106 scans a sheet using the CISs 0315 and 0316 at a timing atwhich the sheet conveyed to a sheet conveyance path 0317 reaches apredetermined position. The scanned image is transmitted to theinspection apparatus 0108 via the inspection apparatus I/F 0215 and theinspection unit I/F 0231. The CPU 0226 determines whether the receivedimage includes a defect, and notifies the inspection unit 0106 of adetermination result via the inspection unit I/F 0231 and the inspectionapparatus I/F 0215 again. The CPU 0216 notifies the large-capacitystacker 0107 of the received determination result via the accessory I/Fs0214 and 0220.

The large-capacity stacker 0107 is a large-capacity stacker on whichmany sheets can be stacked. The large-capacity stacker 0107 includes amain tray 0324 as a tray on which sheets are stacked. A sheet havingpassed through the inspection unit 0106 enters the large-capacitystacker 0107 through a sheet conveyance path 0319. The sheet is stackedon the main tray 0324 from the sheet conveyance path 0319 via a sheetconveyance path 0322. The large-capacity stacker 0107 further includes atop tray 0320 as a paper discharge tray. The CPU 0221 discharges a sheetfrom which a defect has been detected by the inspection apparatus 0108,to the top tray 0320. In a case where a sheet is output to the top tray0320, the sheet is conveyed from the sheet conveyance path 0319 to thetop tray 0320 via a sheet conveyance path 0321. A reversing unit 0323 isa reversing unit for reversing sheets. The reversing unit 0323 is usedin a case where a sheet is stacked on the main tray 0324. In the casewhere a sheet is stacked on the main tray 0324, the sheet is oncereversed by the reversing unit 0323, so that the orientation of thepaper when loaded is in the order of the number of printed pages. In acase where a sheet is conveyed to the top tray 0320, the sheet isdirectly discharged without being flipped at the time of stacking, andthus a reversing operation is not performed by the reversing unit 0323.

FIG. 4A illustrates a setting screen of an operation mode in theinspection apparatus 0108. An operation mode setting screen 0401 isdisplayed on the display unit 0245 of the inspection apparatus 0108, andreceives an operation mode setting made by the user. When a “log mode”is selected in an operation mode selection unit 0402, the printingapparatus 0101 discharges all inspected sheets to a paper dischargedestination preliminarily designated in a property of a print job,irrespective of an inspection result obtained by the inspectionapparatus 0108. The inspection result obtained by the inspectionapparatus 0108 is provided to the user as a log. When a “purge mode” isselected in the operation mode selection unit 0402, the printingapparatus 0101 discharges a sheet having passed an inspection to apreliminarily-designated paper discharge destination, and discharges asheet having failed the inspection to the top tray 0320.

FIG. 4B illustrates a recovery setting screen of the purge mode in theinspection apparatus 0108. In a case where the “purge mode” is selectedin the operation mode selection unit 0402, a recovery mode setting on arecovery mode setting screen 0403 is further applied. The recovery modesetting screen 0403 is displayed on the display unit 0245, and receivesa recovery mode setting made by the user. In a case where a “no-recoverymode” is selected on the recovery mode setting screen 0403, the printingapparatus 0101 discharges only a sheet having failed the inspection tothe top tray 0320. Even if there is the sheet having failed theinspection, the printing apparatus 0101 does not stop printing, and theinspection apparatus 0108 continues to inspect a succeeding sheet.

In a case where a “recovery mode” is selected on the recovery modesetting screen 0403, the printing apparatus 0101 discharges a sheethaving failed the inspection and all succeeding fed sheets existing inthe apparatus at the time point at which the inspection apparatus 0108determines that the inspection has failed, to the top tray 0320. Afterthat, if a sheet becomes nonexistent on a sheet conveyance path, theprinting apparatus 0101 and the inspection apparatus 0108 restartprinting and inspection from an image to be printed on the sheet havingfailed the inspection.

The inspection apparatus 0108 according to the present exemplaryembodiment executes inspection by capturing an image using the CISs 0315and 0316 of the inspection unit 0106 while executing printing in theprinting apparatus 0101. Thus, when the inspection apparatus 0108determines that a certain sheet has failed the inspection, a succeedingsheet might have already reached the sheet conveyance path 0309 or 0311.Nevertheless, unless all sheets on sheet conveyance paths aredischarged, an image printed on the sheet having failed the inspectioncannot be printed again, and sheets cannot be stacked in a correctoutput order onto a paper discharge destination preliminarily designatedin a print job. For this reason, in the “recovery mode”, theabove-described operation is executed.

The CPU 0226 notifies, via the inspection unit I/F 0231 and theinspection apparatus I/F 0215, the inspection unit 0106 of an operationmode, a recovery mode, and an inspection method that have been set inthe operation mode selection unit 0402, on the recovery mode settingscreen 0403, and in an inspection method selection unit 1005. Theoperation mode, the recovery mode, and the inspection method that havebeen set in the operation mode selection unit 0402, on the recovery modesetting screen 0403, and in the inspection method selection unit 1005are stored by the CPU 0226 into the RAM 0227 and stored by the CPU 0216into the RAM 0217.

FIG. 5 illustrates an inspection status screen to be displayed on thedisplay unit 0245 at the time of inspection execution.

An inspection status screen 0501 is displayed on the display unit 0245,and receives an inspection execution/stop instruction and displays aninspection status. An inspection button 0502 receives an inspectionexecution instruction and an inspection stop instruction issued by theuser. If the inspection button 0502 is pressed, a character string onthe button changes to “stop inspection”, and an inspection status 0503changes to “under inspection”. If the inspection button 0502 is pressedonce again, the character string on the button changes to “startinspection”, and the inspection status 0503 changes to “suspended”.Subsequently, the character string on the inspection button 0502 and theinspection status 0503 change in a toggle manner each time theinspection button 0502 is pressed.

The inspection status screen 0501 displays, in real time duringinspection, the number of inspected sheets, the number of sheets havingfailed the inspection, a percent defective, and the number of defectscausing an inspection failure. The number displayed as an “error” on theinspection status screen 0501 is the number of images determined by theinspection apparatus 0108 to be an error due to timeout because theinspection is not completed within a predetermined inspection time anddetermined as being equivalent to an inspection failure. In aninspection failure list 0504, each time an inspection failure occurs, asheet number of a sheet determined as having failed in the inspection,information indicating whether the inspection failure has occurred onthe front or back surface, the cause of the inspection failure, aninspection date and time, and a hyperlink to a failure detailed screen(not illustrated) are added.

If a hyperlink of “details” is pressed, the display unit 0245 displaysthe failure detailed screen on which the user can view a captured imagehaving failed the inspection, the position of a defect, and the like. InFIG. 5 , causes of an inspection failure are exemplified such as apositional shift, a circular defect (spot), and a streaky defect(streak). When a scan image and a reference image are compared, a defectin which the entire or a part of the image is wholly shifted is apositional shift, and a state in which a stain is circularly generatedonly in the scan image is a circular defect. In addition, a state inwhich a stain is generated in a streak or line form only in the scanimage is a streaky defect.

In this manner, the inspection apparatus 0108 can identify the type ofdetected defect based on the feature of the defect and display theidentified type in the inspection failure list 0504. The above-describedtypes are examples, and the types of defect that can be detected by theinspection apparatus 0108 are not limited thereto. For example, whenthere is a state in which an image is drawn only in the reference imageand all or a part of the image is not drawn in the scan image, theinspection apparatus 0108 may determine that a missing image hasoccurred and add the defect to the inspection failure list 0504.

Hereinafter, characteristic processing of the present exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. A program ofthe printing apparatus 0101 related to the flowchart is stored in thestorage unit 0205 of the printing apparatus 0101, loaded into the RAM0202, and executed by the CPU 0201. A program of the inspectionapparatus 0108 related to the flowchart is stored in the storage unit0228 of the inspection apparatus 0108, loaded into the RAM 0227, andexecuted by the CPU 0226. A program of the information processingapparatus 0109 related to the flowchart is stored in the storage unit0236 of the information processing apparatus 0109, loaded into the RAM0235, and executed by the CPU 0234. A program of the client computer0110 related to the flowchart is stored in the storage unit 0244 of theclient computer 0110, loaded into the RAM 0242, and executed by the CPU0243.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation to be performed by theinspection apparatus 0108 when a reference image for inspection isregistered.

A generation method of a reference image varies between two inspectionmethods, namely scan inspection and RIP inspection. The generationmethod of a reference image in each method will be described.

In a case where an inspection method selected in the inspection methodselection unit 1005 to be described with reference to FIG. 10 is thescan inspection, the printing apparatus 0101 initially prints a printjob to be inspected. A printed matter that is a sheet printed by theprinting apparatus 0101 is subjected to image capturing executed by theinspection unit 0106 to obtain image data.

The printing apparatus 0101 transmits the image data to the inspectionapparatus 0108. The user confirms that the image data (image) displayedon the inspection apparatus 0108 does not include a stain or a mistakein characters, and registers the image data as a reference image. In theabove-described manner, the reference image registration method in thescan inspection registers image data obtained by scanning of a printedmatter in the inspection apparatus 0108 as the reference image. Aplurality of images can be printed by the printing apparatus 0101, aplurality of captured images can be transmitted to the inspectionapparatus 0108, and an image obtained by combining the plurality ofcaptured images can also be used as the reference image.

In a case where an inspection method selected in the inspection methodselection unit 1005 to be described with reference to FIG. 10 is the RIPinspection, the printing apparatus 0101 transmits a generated RIP imageto the inspection apparatus 0108. At this time, the RIP image may be aRIP image generated by a RIP apparatus (for example, RIP software, etc.)other than the printing apparatus. In the above-described manner, thereference image registration method in the RIP inspection registers aRIP image into the inspection apparatus 0108 as the reference image.

The flowchart in FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure common to the scaninspection and the RIP inspection. In step S601, the inspectionapparatus 0108 receives a start notification of a reference imageregistration job from the printing apparatus 0101. Next, the processingproceeds to step S602. The processing is repeated until reference imagesof all sheets are stored in the storage unit 0228 of the inspectionapparatus 0108.

In step S603, in a case where the inspection method is the scaninspection, the inspection unit I/F 0231 receives an image scanned usingthe CISs 0315 and 0316, from the inspection apparatus I/F 0215. In acase where the inspection method is the RIP inspection, the inspectionunit I/F 0231 receives a RIP image generated by the printing apparatus0101 before printing, from the inspection apparatus I/F 0215. Operationsto be performed by the information processing apparatus 0109 and theprinting apparatus 0101 using the two inspection methods, namely thescan inspection and the RIP inspection, will be described with referenceto FIG. 8 . The inspection method is the method selected in theinspection method selection unit 1005 to be described with reference toFIG. 10 .

Next, in step S604, the CPU 0226 registers the image received in stepS603 in the RAM 0227 as the reference image. The processing in stepsS602 to S604 is repeated until image reading of all sheets ends.

If the image reading of all sheets ends, the flowchart ends. In a casewhere the inspection method is the scan inspection, for example, theinspection apparatus 0108 may read a plurality of images from the samepage, and register a combined image of the plurality of images as thereference image.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an inspection operation to beperformed by the inspection apparatus 0108. The flowchart is startedfrom a step in which the printing apparatus 0101 and the inspectionapparatus 0108 receive a main print job from the information processingapparatus 0109.

Before the start of a job, the CPU 0226 receives an operation modesetting in the operation mode selection unit 0402 on the setting screenillustrated in FIG. 4A, and a recovery mode setting in the recovery modesetting screen 0403 illustrated in FIG. 4B. The main print job isgenerated by the client computer 0110 receiving a setting of theinspection method from the user via the inspection method selection unit1005 on a job property setting screen 1001. The transmission of the mainprint job will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 .

In step S0701, the printing apparatus 0101 receives a main print job.When the printing apparatus 0101 receives the main print job, theprinting apparatus 0101 transmits information necessary for inspectionthat is included in the main print job, to the inspection apparatus0108. The transmission to the inspection apparatus 0108 may be performeddirectly from the information processing apparatus 0109.

Next, in step S0702, the CPU 0226 receives an image reading startinstruction of the main print job. It is assumed that the image readingstart instruction is received from the user via a screen (notillustrated) displayed on the display unit 0245. Next, the processingproceeds to step S0703. In a case where there is a sheet to beinspected, the processing proceeds to step S0704.

In step S0704, the inspection unit I/F 0231 receives an image scannedusing the CISs 0315 and 0316 from the inspection apparatus I/F 0215. Theimage is an image obtained by scanning of a printing result of the mainprint job, which serves as a deliverable.

In step S0705, the CPU 0226 reads, from the RAM 0227, a reference imageof a corresponding page that has been registered in step S604.

Next, in step S0706, the CPU 0226 compares the reference image read instep S0705 and the scan image to be inspected that has been received instep S0704. In an operation of comparison, first, image positions of thereference image and the scan image to be inspected are aligned using acharacteristic point in the images as a reference point for positioning.Next, in the scan image to be inspected, by an analysis of four cornersof a sheet and the reference point for positioning of the scan image, itis detected whether there is a positional shift of the image withrespect to the sheet.

Next, the CPU 0226 compares, for each pixel, density values of thereference image and the scan image to be inspected. As a result of theabove-described comparison, if a difference between the scan image andthe reference image is not detected, the inspection is determined ashaving succeeded. In a case where a difference is detected, theinspection is determined as having failed. The details of the inspectionfailure, which have been described with reference to FIG. 5 , arerecorded depending on the type of defect. To describe a basic inspectionoperation, the processing that always determines an inspection result tobe a failure in a case where a difference is detected has beendescribed. In the present exemplary embodiment, processing of selectinga desirable reference image in the case where a difference is detectedis discussed. The processing will be described with reference to theflowchart in FIG. 8 .

Next, in step S0707, it is determined whether the inspection has beencompleted within a predetermined time. In a case where the inspectionhas been completed within the predetermined time (YES in step S0707),the processing proceeds to step S0708. In a case where the inspectionhas not been completed within the predetermined time (NO in step S0707),the processing proceeds to step S0709. Because the inspection method ofthe present exemplary embodiment has a configuration of executinginspection depending on a speed of printing, an inspection time taken toinspect one scan image is limited. This is because, unless an inspectionis completed and an inspection result is output within a certain periodof time, a next inspection for inspecting the next scanned image may notbe in time. When the purge mode is selected in the operation modeselection unit 0402, the CPU 0221 switches a conveyance destination insuch a manner as to discharge a sheet determined by the inspectionapparatus 0108 as having failed the inspection to the top tray 0320.

Thus, the inspection time is limited because, unless the inspection endswithin a time limit, it becomes too late for switching of the conveyancedestination. Before a sheet reaches a point at which the conveyancedestination becomes is non-switchable, the CPU 0226 needs to notify theCPU 0221 of an inspection failure via the inspection unit I/F 0231, theinspection apparatus I/F 0215, the accessory I/F 0214, and the accessoryI/F 0220.

Accordingly, in the case where the inspection has failed to be completedwithin the predetermined time (NO in step S0707), because the inspectioncannot be determined as having succeeded, the CPU 0226 determines thatan inspection result indicates an error, and determines an inspectionresult of the sheet to be a result equivalent to an inspection resultindicating a failure.

In step S0708, the CPU 0226 determines whether an inspection resultindicates a failure. If the inspection result indicates a failure (YESin step S0708), the processing proceeds to step S0709. In step S0709,the CPU 0226 reads an operation mode from the RAM 0227, and determineswhether the operation mode is the purge mode. If the operation mode isthe purge mode (YES in step S0709), the processing proceeds to stepS0710. In step S0710, the CPU 0226 notifies the CPU 0216 of theinspection result indicating a failure via the inspection unit I/F 0231and the inspection apparatus I/F 0215.

Next, the processing proceeds to step S0711. In step S0711, the CPU 0216determines whether a recovery mode setting read by the CPU 0226 from theRAM 0227 is the “recovery mode”. If the recovery mode setting read bythe CPU 0226 from the RAM 0227 is the “recovery mode” (YES in stepS0711), the processing proceeds to step S0712. In step S0712, the CPU0226 waits until print stop information is received from the CPU 0216via the inspection unit I/F 0231 and the inspection apparatus I/F 0215.If the CPU 0226 has received the print stop information, the processingproceeds to step S0713.

In step S0713, the CPU 0226 reads the reference image corresponding tothe sheet determined as having failed the inspection, from the RAM 0227,and stores the reference image as an image to be inspected next. Next,the processing proceeds to step S0714. In step S0714, the CPU 0226notifies the CPU 0216 of a resumption of inspection via the inspectionunit I/F 0231 and the inspection apparatus I/F 0215.

Next, the processing proceeds to step S0715. In step S0715, the CPU 0226adds information regarding the sheet determined as having failed theinspection to the inspection failure list 0504. The processing in stepsS0703 to S0715 is repeated until the inspection of all sheets ends. Ifthe inspection of all sheets ends, the processing proceeds to stepS0716. In step S0716, the CPU 0226 receives an image reading endinstruction from the user via the inspection button 0502 displayed onthe display unit 0245.

If it is determined in step S0711 that the recovery mode setting read bythe CPU 0226 from the RAM 0227 is the “no-recovery mode” (NO in stepS0711), the processing proceeds to step S0715, and subsequently, theprocessing can be ended similarly to the above-described procedure. Ifit is determined in step S0709 that the operation mode is the log mode(NO in step S0709), the processing proceeds to step S0715, andsubsequently, the processing can be ended similarly to theabove-described procedure.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S0708 that the inspectionresult indicates a success (NO in step S0708), the processing proceedsto step S0716, and subsequently, the processing can be ended similarlyto the above-described procedure.

The example described in this flowchart is an example, and aconfiguration thereof is not limited. For example, an image readingstart instruction issued by the user on the display unit 0245 may beautomatically issued in synchronization with a printing startinstruction issued on the printing apparatus 0101, the informationprocessing apparatus 0109, or the client computer 0110. An image readingend instruction issued by the user on the display unit 0245 may beautomatically issued in synchronization with a printing end instructionissued on the printing apparatus 0101, and a configuration thereof isnot limited.

An operation to be performed during inspection job execution that isdiscussed in the present exemplary embodiment will be described. Aprocedure of processing an inspection job by the information processingapparatus 0109, the inspection apparatus 0108, and the printingapparatus 0101 in cooperation with each other will be described withreference to FIGS. 8 to 11A to 11C.

First, a selection operation of an inspection method of an inspectionjob will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . The operation to bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10 is an operation to be performedbefore reference image registration is started. FIG. 10 illustrates anexample of a job property setting screen. The job property settingscreen (inspection method selection unit) 1001 is a screen to bedisplayed on the client computer 0110. If an “inspection” tab isselected from among tabs on the left side of the job property settingscreen 1001, a job setting regarding inspection can be made, and a printjob setting regarding the inspection is received from the user. A printjob generated in the client computer 0110 includes a received jobsetting, and the print job is transmitted from the client computer 0110to the printing apparatus 0101 via the information processing apparatus0109. The print job is managed in the information processing apparatus0109.

In a case where the user selects inspection “On” in an inspection modesetting unit 1002, a subsequent property setting is made. The print jobfor which the inspection “On” is set will be referred to as an“inspection job”.

In a case where the inspection “Off” is selected, for example, aninspection setting unit 1003, an inspection operation setting unit 1004,and the inspection method selection unit 1005 may be grayed out and theselection by the user may be made unreceivable. If a Print button 1006is pressed in a state in which the inspection “Off” is selected, theprinting apparatus 0101 performs a normal printing operation.

In the inspection setting unit 1003, a region to be inspected and asetting method of an inspection level are selected. If “Default” isselected, the inspection apparatus 0108 inspects the entire region of areference image at a standard level. If any of “Preset 1” to “Preset 10”is selected, the inspection apparatus 0108 performs inspection based ona region and a level that are preliminarily-designated for the referenceimage. The inspection settings “Preset 1” to “Preset 10” are stored inthe storage unit 0228, and if the Print button 1006 is pressed, the CPU0226 reflects an inspection setting in the reference image. If “Newregistration” is selected, the inspection apparatus 0108 receives, fromthe user, a region to be newly inspected and an inspection setting of alevel of the inspection, and performs the inspection based on thereceived region and the level. If the inspection apparatus 0108 receivesa print job for which “New registration” is set in the inspectionsetting, the inspection apparatus 0108 displays a reference imagereceived on the display unit 0245 within an inspection setting screen1101 displayed on the display unit 0245. The inspection setting screen1101 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C.

If “Default” or any of “Preset 1” to “Preset 10” is selected in theinspection setting unit 1003 and the Print button 1006 is pressed, theinspection apparatus 0108 is configured not to display the inspectionsetting screen 1101. If the Print button 1006 on the job propertysetting screen 1001 is pressed by a user operation and the reception ofa reference image is completed, the inspection apparatus 0108 performsthe registration of the reference image without performing anotheraddition operation. In the present exemplary embodiment, when “Default”or any of “Preset 1” to “Preset 10” is selected in the inspectionsetting unit 1003 and the Print button 1006 is pressed, the inspectionapparatus 0108 is configured not to display the inspection settingscreen 1101. Alternatively, the inspection apparatus 0108 may beconfigured to display the inspection setting screen 1101. The purpose ofdisplaying the inspection setting screen 1101 in this case is to checkan automatically-set inspection setting by the user.

In the inspection operation setting unit 1004, a combination ofoperations such as registration of a reference image and printing of amain print job is selected. When “only registration” is selected, theinspection apparatus 0108 performs only the registration of a referenceimage and an inspection setting of the reference image. When “onlyprinting” is selected, printing is performed by the printing apparatus0101 using a pre-registered reference image, and inspection is performedby the inspection apparatus 0108. In a case where “only printing” isselected in the inspection operation setting unit 1004, the inspectionmode setting unit 1002 is grayed out, and input from the user is notreceived. If “registration and printing” is selected, theabove-described operation of “only registration” and the operation of“only printing” are successively performed.

When “scan inspection” is selected in the inspection method selectionunit 1005, the inspection apparatus 0108 sets a scan image of a printedmatter as the reference image to be used in inspection. When “RIPinspection” is selected, the inspection apparatus 0108 sets a RIP imageto be used by the printing apparatus 0101 in printing as the referenceimage. The generation processing and storage processing of the referenceimage have been described above with reference to the flowchart in FIG.6 .

Lastly, if the Print button 1006 is pressed, printing and inspectionoperations are executed based on the settings input via the inspectionmode setting unit 1002, the inspection setting unit 1003, the inspectionoperation setting unit 1004, and the inspection method selection unit1005. Details of the printing and inspection operations to be performedbased on the settings will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Subsequently, an inspection setting screen to be displayed by theinspection apparatus 0108 and the overview of a user operation will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C. The inspection settingscreen 1101 is an example of an inspection setting screen to bedisplayed by the inspection apparatus 0108 for the user. If a referenceimage registration job is transmitted in step S802 of FIG. 8 , theinspection setting screen 1101 is displayed on the display unit 0245included in the inspection apparatus 0108, and a user operation isreceived. Alternatively, by selecting a reference image pre-registeredin the storage unit 0228 of the inspection apparatus 0108, for example,the inspection setting screen 1101 may be displayed, and a useroperation may be received.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of the inspection setting screen to bedisplayed before an operation is received from the user. The referenceimage generated in step S604 of FIG. 6 is displayed in a preview region1102. In an inspection region setting unit 1103, an inspection level(i.e., inspection accuracy) for each inspection region can be changed.The higher the inspection level is set, the slighter a differencebetween the reference image and a printed matter determined by theinspection apparatus 0108 as a defect becomes.

The level of a defect to be detected can be changed, for example,depending on the type of inspection region such as an intensiveinspection region and a standard inspection region. Aside from theexamples given here, an inspection excluded region in which inspectionis not performed may be added as a type of region. It is general to seta higher inspection level to the intensive inspection region than to thestandard inspection region, but the setting is not limited.

Defects herein are exemplified such as a circular defect (stain (point))and a streaky defect (stain (streak)). When a reference image and a scanimage of a printed matter are compared, a state in which a stain iscircularly generated only in the scan image of the printed mattercorresponds to the circular defect, and a state in which a stain isgenerated in a streaky or a linear shape only in the scan image of theprinted matter corresponds to the streaky defect. Because these defectsare examples, the types of defects that can be detected by theinspection apparatus 0108 are not limited to these.

In FIG. 11A illustrating a state before the user performs an operation,the inspection levels of the stain (point) and stain (streak) in theintensive inspection region and the standard inspection region aredefault inspection levels stored by the inspection apparatus 0108. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 11A, the default inspection level forthe intensive inspection region is level 5 and the default inspectionlevel for the standard inspection region is level 3.

A page number display unit 1104 is used to switch an image to bedisplayed in a case where there is a plurality of reference images. AnOK button 1105 is a button for registering a region set in the referenceimage. A cancel button 1106 is a button for issuing a stop instructionof an inspection job. The buttons are objects displayed on the screen.Buttons 1109 and 1110 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.11C.

An example of a user operation and reflection of the operation in theinspection setting screen will be described with reference to FIG. 11B.By selecting the type of inspection region in the inspection regionsetting unit 1103 and designating a region in the preview region 1102,the inspection apparatus 0108 performs inspection of the designatedregion. A region designation method includes input made by a mousecursor, for example, and an input format thereof is not limited.

The user can also change the inspection level in the inspection regionsetting unit 1103. The example in FIG. 11B illustrates that theinspection level for the intensive inspection region is set to level 7and the inspection level for the standard inspection region is set tolevel 5.

An example of region designation will be described using regions 1107and 1108. In the example indicates a case where the region 1107 is setas the intensive inspection region and the region 1108 is set as thestandard inspection region. As illustrated in FIGS. 11B and 11C, a solidline indicates the intensive inspection region and a broken lineindicates the standard inspection region. Alternatively, the types ofregions may be made distinguishable by color or background color. Theregions do not have to be designated on a page that does not need to beinspected. Alternatively, the entire page may be designated as theregion without finely separating a range. An image to be displayed canbe switched using the page number display unit 1104, and thus theinspection region can be set on all pages.

In a case where the OK button 1105 is selected after the completion ofinspection region designation, the CPU 0226 transmits an inspectionsetting completion notification to the information processing apparatus0109. In a case where the cancel button 1106 is selected, the inspectionapparatus 0108 closes the inspection setting screen 1101 withoutperforming the registration of the inspection setting.

The information processing apparatus 0109 can execute a main print jobfor an inspection job for which the inspection setting completionnotification has been received. As described in “BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION”, there are two types of operation methods of an inspectionjob, and the user can perform the registration of a reference image andmain printing at a desired timing depending on a use case. A method ofexecuting a job for which the inspection setting is predetermined isdefined as a workflow A, and a method of determining the inspectionsetting after executing a job is defined as a workflow B. An operationin a conventional inspection apparatus will be described in detailbelow.

In the workflow A, the user executes only a main print job of aninspection job for which the reference image is registered. The userissues an execution instruction of the main print job on the clientcomputer 0110 (first step), and the printing apparatus 0101 performsprinting, image capturing of a printed matter, and transmission of acaptured image to the inspection apparatus 0108. The inspectionapparatus 0108 performs inspection by comparing the captured image ofthe printed matter with the reference image already-registered in theinspection apparatus 0108. However, the configuration is not limitedthereto, and the execution instruction of the main print job may beissued on the information processing apparatus 0109. At this time, theoperation of the user is performed in one step.

In the workflow B, the user executes an inspection job, makes aninspection setting, and executes a main print job. First, the userissues an execution instruction of an inspection job on the clientcomputer 0110 (step 1). More specifically, the user newly registers areference image. Subsequently, the user sets an inspection condition onthe inspection apparatus 0108 for the registered reference image (step2), and lastly, issues an execution instruction of the main print jobfrom the client computer 0110 (step 3). The inspection job is completedin the above-described three steps in total. In step 2, the user sets aninspection condition while viewing the reference image on the inspectionsetting screen displayed on the inspection apparatus 0108. However, theconfiguration is not limited thereto, and the execution instructions ofthe inspection job and the main print job may be issued on theinformation processing apparatus 0109.

The workflow for performing the conventional inspection has beendescribed above. Now, a workflow C that can simplify an inspectioncondition setting described as step 2 even in the case of newlyregistering an image as in the workflow B will be described.

A first method of the workflow C is an inspection setting method bywhich the inspection apparatus 0108 designates a standard level as alevel for the entire region of a reference image. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the inspection setting method is called “Default”.

A second method of the workflow C is an inspection setting method ofreflecting a pre-registered user-defined inspection setting in areference image to be newly registered. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the inspection setting method is called “Preset”.

First, an operation to be performed in setting registration of Presetwill be described with reference to FIG. 11C. The Preset is aninspection setting to be used when inspection is performed using aninspection region and an inspection level that are pre-registered by theuser. A Preset inspection setting can be registered when “newregistration” is selected in the inspection setting unit 1003. Aconfiguration of registering an inspection region and an inspectionlevel without designating a reference image, or a configuration ofprestoring an inspection region and an inspection level in theinspection apparatus 0108 without input from the user may be employed.The Preset registration method illustrated in FIG. 11C is an example,and the registration method is not limited thereto.

When the user selects “new registration” in the inspection setting unit1003, aside from the inspection setting described with reference toFIGS. 11A and 11B, inspection settings can be registered in theinspection apparatus 0108 as “Preset 1” to “Preset 10”.

If the user selects a number to be registered as a Preset in a Presetnumber selection unit 1109, a Preset registration button 1110 becomesselectable. Until any Preset number is selected in the Preset numberselection unit 1109, the Preset registration button 1110 is grayed out,and the user cannot select the Preset registration button 1110 (FIGS.11A and 11B).

If the user presses the Preset registration button 1110, a currently-setinspection region and an inspection level are stored in the storage unit0228. When an already-registered Preset number is selected in the Presetnumber selection unit 1109, and the Preset registration button 1110 ispressed, an inspection setting stored in the storage unit 0228 isoverwritten. At this time, a configuration of prompting the user toinput determination on whether to overwrite the Preset may be employed.At this time, a configuration of prompting the user to inputdetermination on whether to overwrite Preset by display of a pop-up, forexample, may be employed.

Subsequently, an operation to be performed when the informationprocessing apparatus 0109 executes an inspection job will be describedwith reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8 .

If the user executes a print job for which the inspection is set to “On”in the inspection mode setting unit 1002, in step S801, the CPU 0234determines whether an operation set in the inspection operation settingunit 1004 is “only printing”. In a case where a setting in theinspection operation setting unit 1004 is “only registration” or“registration and printing” (NO in step S801), the processing proceedsto step S802. In a case where the setting in the inspection operationsetting unit 1004 is “only printing” (YES in step S801), the processingproceeds to step S805. Next, in step S802, the information processingapparatus 0109 transmits a reference image registration job to theprinting apparatus 0101, and the processing proceeds to step S803.

The reference image registration job is a print job in which one or aplural number is set as the number of copies when “scan inspection” isselected in the inspection method selection unit 1005. The informationprocessing apparatus 0109 transmits a print job in which the number ofcopies is one to the printing apparatus 0101, and the printing apparatus0101 performs a printing operation and image capturing, and then,transmits the captured image to the inspection apparatus 0108.

The reference image registration job is a job for registering a RIPimage to be generated by the printing apparatus 0101 before printing asthe reference image when “RIP inspection” is selected in the inspectionmethod selection unit 1005. In a case where a RIP image is registered asa reference image, the printing and image capturing operations are notperformed as in the scan inspection. The information processingapparatus 0109 transmits a RIP image to be used by the printingapparatus 0101 in printing to the inspection apparatus 0108.

After the reference image registration job is transmitted to theprinting apparatus 0101 in step S802, as described with reference toFIGS. 11A to 11C, the inspection apparatus 0108 receives a setting of aninspection level for each inspection region in the reference image thathas been made by the user. Because the inspection apparatus 0108performs inspection by comparing the reference image and a capturedimage of a printed matter based on the setting, it is necessary to bringthe information processing apparatus 0109 into a standby state withoutstarting a main print job until the setting of an inspection conditionends. Thus, in step S803, the CPU 0234 stands by without transmittingthe main print job to the printing apparatus 0101 until a referenceimage registration completion notification is received from theinspection apparatus 0108. If the CPU 0234 receives the registrationcompletion notification, the processing proceeds to step S804. In stepS804, the CPU 0234 determines whether an operation set in the inspectionoperation setting unit 1004 is “registration and printing”. In a casewhere the operation set in the inspection operation setting unit 1004 is“registration and printing” (YES in step S804), the processing proceedsto step S805. In a case where the operation set in the inspectionoperation setting unit 1004 is “only registration” (NO in step S804),the processing ends. In step S805, the CPU 0234 transmits the main printjob to the printing apparatus 0101 and ends the processing.

The main print job is transmitted through similar processingirrespective of the inspection method selected in the inspection modesetting unit 1002. If the main print job is transmitted from theinformation processing apparatus 0109 to the printing apparatus 0101,the printing apparatus 0101 performs a printing operation, performsimage capturing of the printed sheet using the imaging unit 0218, andtransmits the captured image to the inspection apparatus 0108. Theinspection apparatus 0108 compares the captured image of the printedmatter and the reference image, and performs inspection based on aninspection setting made on the inspection setting screen 1101.

An operation to be performed when the inspection apparatus 0108 executesan inspection job will be described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 9 . The inspection method of the above-described workflows A, B,and C will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9 . Aprocedure to be performed in a case where the inspection mode settingunit 1002 in FIG. 10 is set to inspection “On” will be described.

In step S901, the CPU 0226 receives an inspection operation set in theinspection operation setting unit 1004, and determines whether theinspection operation is “only printing”. In a case where the inspectionoperation is “only registration” or “registration and printing” (NO instep S901), the processing proceeds to step S902. In a case where theinspection operation is “only printing” (YES in step S901), theprocessing proceeds to step S910. As described above with reference toFIG. 10 , in the case where the inspection operation is “only printing”,a setting is not received in the inspection setting unit 1003. Aninspection setting for the reference image that is determined throughoperations to be described in steps S914 and S915 or in steps S911 toS913 is reflected in an inspection setting made in a case where theinspection operation is “only printing”.

In step S902, the CPU 0226 receives the reference image from theprinting apparatus 0101, and stores the reference image in the storageunit 0228. The details of the reference image are similar to those ofthe reference image generated in the flowchart in FIG. 6 .

In step S903, the CPU 0226 receives an inspection setting set in theinspection setting unit 1003, and determines whether the inspectionsetting set in the inspection setting unit 1003 is “new”. In a casewhere the inspection setting set in the inspection setting unit 1003 is“new” (YES in step S903), the processing proceeds to step S904. In acase where the inspection setting set in the inspection setting unit1003 is “Default” or “Preset” (NO in step S903), the processing proceedsto step S914.

In step S904, the inspection apparatus 0108 displays the inspectionsetting screen 1101 on the display unit 0245. Subsequently, in stepS905, the CPU 0226 receives an inspection operation set in theinspection operation setting unit 1004, and determines whether theinspection operation set in the inspection operation setting unit 1004is “registration and printing”. In a case where the inspection operationset in the inspection operation setting unit 1004 is “registration andprinting” (YES in step S905), the processing proceeds to step S907. In acase where the inspection operation set in the inspection operationsetting unit 1004 is “only registration” (NO in step S905), theprocessing proceeds to step S911. In a case where the processingproceeds to step S907, the information processing apparatus 0109 doesnot transmit a main print job to the printing apparatus 0101, and themain print job is in a suspended state (standby state) in theinformation processing apparatus 0109.

In step S907, the CPU 0226 receives an inspection setting from the uservia the inspection setting screen 1101 displayed on the display unit0245. In step S908, the CPU 0226 repeats the processing in step S908until a press of the OK button 1105 is received from the user on thedisplay unit 0245. In a case where the press is received (YES in stepS908), the processing proceeds to step S909. In addition, the CPU 0226stores a reference image in which the inspection setting is reflected inthe storage unit 0228. In a case where a press of the cancel button 1106is received, the inspection apparatus 0108 discards the reference imagereceived in step S902 from the storage unit 0228. In a case where aninspection job in the standby state remains in the informationprocessing apparatus 0109, the inspection apparatus 0108 transmits acancel notification to the information processing apparatus 0109. And,the information processing apparatus 0109 cancels an inspection job keptin the standby state in the information processing apparatus 0109, andends the processing.

In step S909, the CPU 0226 transmits a registration completionnotification to the information processing apparatus 0109. Next, theprocessing proceeds to step S910. In step S909, the CPU 0226 transmitsthe registration completion notification to the information processingapparatus 0109, but may transmit the registration completionnotification to the printing apparatus 0101.

In steps S911 to S913, the processing similar to the processing in steps5907 to S909 is performed, and then, the processing ends.

The processing in step S914 is processing to be performed when “Default”or any of “Preset 1” to “Preset 10” is selected in the inspectionsetting unit 1003. The setting “Default” in the inspection setting unit1003 is an inspection setting for the inspection apparatus 0108 todesignate the standard level as the inspection level of the entireregion of the reference image, and the inspection setting is reflectedby the CPU 0226 in the reference image. The settings “Preset 1” to“Preset 10” in the inspection setting unit 1003 are inspection settingseach for the inspection apparatus 0108 to perform an inspection settingwith a region and a level designated for the reference image. Theinspection settings “Preset 1” to “Preset 10” are stored in the storageunit 0228 of the inspection apparatus 0108, read into the RAM 0227, andreflected by the CPU 0226 in the reference image. In the two inspectionsettings of “Default” and “Preset 1” to “Preset 10”, the inspectionsetting can be completed without the input made by the user as describedwith reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. In step S914, the CPU 0226 storesthe reference image in which the inspection setting is reflected in thestorage unit 0228. A configuration of only registering the referenceimage in step S914 may be employed. In this case, the input into theinspection setting unit 1003 is received when “only printing” isselected in the inspection operation setting unit 1004. The inspectionapparatus 0108 reflects a setting received in the inspection settingunit 1003, in the reference image, and in step S910, performs printingusing the printing apparatus 0101 and an inspection operation. Next, theprocessing may proceed to step S915.

In step S915, the CPU 0226 transmits a registration completionnotification to the information processing apparatus 0109. Next, theprocessing proceeds to step S916. In step S915, the CPU 0226 maytransmit the registration completion notification to the printingapparatus 0101.

In step S916, the CPU 0226 determines whether the inspection operationset in the inspection operation setting unit 1004 is “registration andprinting”. In a case where the inspection operation set in theinspection operation setting unit 1004 is “registration and printing”(YES in step S916), the processing proceeds to step S910. In a casewhere the inspection operation set in the inspection operation settingunit 1004 is “only registration” (NO in step S916), the processing ends.In step S910, the CPU 0226 performs the printing processing and theinspection processing, which have been described with reference to theflowchart in FIG. 7 , and then ends the processing.

By the information processing apparatus 0109 receiving a “Default” or“Preset” setting through the above-described procedure, a presetinspection setting is reflected even in a case where a reference imageis newly generated. This can reduce the number of user operations.

The “Default” or “Preset” setting may be made on the inspectionapparatus 0108. Hereinafter, a case where the inspection apparatus 0108receives the “Default” or “Preset” setting will be described withreference to FIGS. 12 and 13 .

An operation to be performed when the inspection apparatus 0108 receivesan inspection setting will be described with reference to FIG. 12 .

If the inspection apparatus 0108 receives a reference image, a procedurestarts. The type of job to be executed when the reference image istransmitted to the inspection apparatus 0108 is not limited. Morespecifically, “only registration” illustrated in FIG. 10 may be selectedon the information processing apparatus 0109, or “registration andprinting” may be selected thereon.

In step S1201, the CPU 0226 displays the received reference image on thedisplay unit 0245 of the inspection apparatus 0108.

In this step, as illustrated in FIG. 13 , a property 1301 of theinspection setting may be displayed as a pop-up together with thedisplayed reference image. Alternatively, the property 1301 may beinvoked by a press of a setting button (not illustrated) on the screen.

If the inspection setting is received from the user, in step S1202, theCPU 0226 determines whether a Default setting is selected as theinspection setting. If the Default setting is selected (YES in stepS1202), the processing proceeds to step S1203. In step S1203, theinspection setting associated with the Default setting is reflected inthe reference image. Specifically, the CPU 0226 reflects, in thereference image, the inspection setting associated with a Defaultsetting stored in the storage unit 0228. Since the Default setting inthe present exemplary embodiment is an inspection setting thatdesignates a standard level as a level for the entire region of thereference image, for example, a reference image whose entire region issurrounded by a broken line or a solid line indicating the standardinspection region is displayed. If the Default setting is not selected(NO in step S1202), the processing proceeds to step S1204.

In step S1204, the CPU 0226 determines whether a Preset setting isselected as the inspection setting. If the Preset setting is selected(YES in step S1204), the processing proceeds to step S1205. In stepS1205, a pre-registered user-defined inspection setting associated withthe Preset setting is reflected in the reference image.

If the inspection setting is reflected in steps S1203 or S1205, or newregistration is selected in step S1204 (NO in step S1204), theprocessing proceeds to step S1206. In step S1206, the CPU 0226 receivesthe input of an inspection setting from the user.

In step S1207, the CPU 0226 determines whether the OK button 1105 isselected. If the OK button 1105 is selected (YES in step S1207), theflowchart ends.

By the inspection apparatus 0108 receiving the “Default” or “Preset”setting through the above-described procedure, it is possible tosimplify an inspection setting to be made by the user.

More specifically, in a case where the user desires to designate apreset inspection setting or the same inspection setting as the pastinspection setting, the user can reuse the inspection setting. In otherwords, in a case where inspection is performed using a determinedinspection setting, by reflecting the inspection setting in thereference image, it is possible to reduce the number of operations to beperformed by the user.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc(BD)TM), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2022-064888, filed Apr. 11, 2022, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inspection system comprising at least aninspection apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an informationprocessing apparatus that are communicably connected with each other,wherein the information processing apparatus includes: one or morecontrollers having one or more processors and one or more memories, theone or more controllers configured to function as: a first receptionunit configured to receive a job setting; and a transmission unitconfigured to transmit a reference image to the inspection apparatustogether with a job setting received by the first reception unit,wherein the inspection apparatus includes: one or more controllershaving one or more processors and one or more memories, the one or morecontrollers configured to function as: a second reception unitconfigured to receive an inspection setting for the received referenceimage; a storage unit configured to store an inspection setting in astorage device; and an inspection unit configured to, if a scan imageobtained by scanning of a printed matter is received, inspect the scanimage based on the inspection setting, and wherein, if a predeterminedjob setting is received, the inspection apparatus executes inspectionbased on an inspection setting stored in the storage device without thesecond reception unit receiving the inspection setting.
 2. Theinspection system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined jobsetting is a job setting for using a predetermined inspection settingstored in the storage device.
 3. The inspection system according toclaim 1, wherein the predetermined job setting is a job setting forusing an inspection setting having been prestored by the storage unitand received by the first reception unit.
 4. The inspection systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the inspection apparatus includes adisplay unit configured to display a screen, and wherein the secondreception unit receives a setting of at least an inspection region to beinspected and an inspection level for the image displayed on the screen.5. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the inspectionunit executes inspection based on the scan image and the referenceimage.
 6. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the scanimage is an image obtained by scanning of a printed matter printed bythe printing apparatus.
 7. The inspection system according to claim 1,wherein, if a predetermined job setting and execution of onlyregistration are set in the job setting, the reference image in which aninspection setting associated with the predetermined job setting isreflected in the predetermined job setting is registered in theinspection apparatus, and execution of printing in the printingapparatus and inspection of a printed matter in the inspection apparatusare not performed.
 8. An inspection apparatus comprising: one or morecontrollers having one or more processors and one or more memories, theone or more controllers configured to function as: a receiving unitconfigured to receive an image to be registered as a reference image; areception unit configured to receive an inspection setting for thereceived reference image; a storage unit configured to store aninspection setting in a storage device; and an inspection unitconfigured to, if a scan image obtained by scanning of a printed matteris received, inspect the scan image based on the inspection setting,wherein, in a case where a predetermined setting is received by thereception unit, an inspection setting associated with the predeterminedsetting stored by the storage unit is reflected in the reference image.9. The inspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein thepredetermined setting is a predetermined setting for using apredetermined inspection setting stored in the storage device.
 10. Theinspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predeterminedsetting is a predetermined setting for using an inspection settinghaving been prestored by the storage unit and received by the receptionunit.
 11. The inspection apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising a display unit configured to display a screen, wherein thereception unit receives a setting of at least an inspection region to beinspected and an inspection level for the image displayed on the screen.12. The inspection apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising adisplay unit configured to display a screen, wherein, in a case where apredetermined setting is received by the reception unit, the referenceimage in which an inspection setting associated with a predeterminedsetting stored in the storage device is reflected is displayed on thedisplay unit.
 13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 8, whereinthe reception unit further receives an inspection setting for thereference image in which an inspection setting associated with apredetermined setting stored in the storage device is reflected.
 14. Theinspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inspection unitexecutes inspection based on the scan image and the reference image. 15.The inspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inspectionapparatus is communicably connected with a printing apparatus configuredto execute printing, and wherein the inspection apparatus furtherincludes the receiving unit configured to receive a scan image being animage obtained by scanning of a printed matter printed by the printingapparatus.
 16. A control method of an inspection system including atleast an inspection apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an informationprocessing apparatus that are communicably connected with each other,wherein the information processing apparatus executes: transmitting areference image to the inspection apparatus together with a received jobsetting, wherein the inspection apparatus executes: receiving aninspection setting for the received reference image; storing aninspection setting in a storage device; and if a scan image obtained byscanning of a printed matter is received, inspecting the scan imagebased on the inspection setting, and wherein, if a predetermined jobsetting is received, the inspection apparatus executes inspection basedon an inspection setting stored in the storage device without receivingan inspection setting in the receiving.
 17. A control method of aninspection apparatus, the control method comprising: receiving a jobthat registers an image as a reference image; receiving an inspectionsetting for the image registered based on the received job; storing aninspection setting in a storage device; and if a scan image obtained byscanning a printed matter is received, inspecting the scan image basedon the inspection setting, wherein, in a case where a predeterminedsetting is received in the receiving, an inspection setting associatedwith a predetermined setting stored in the storage device is reflectedin the reference image.